Castleford Tigers 56 Crusaders 16: Crusaders made to pay as Tigers quickly get over defeat

The Tigers bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Bradford by running in 10 tries in a victory that lifted them to second place in Super League.

“Rangi and Danny are working really well together,” said Matterson said. “It was good I was able to take Danny off in the second half because he probably wasn’t 100 per cent fit today, although you wouldn’t think it.”

Teenage hooker Daryl Clark continued his outstanding form this season by grabbing two tries as the Tigers stormed to their fifth win in six matches. Winger Kirk Dixon piled up 24 points with two tries and eight goals.

The Tigers went ahead after five minutes when a swift crossfield move by Chase, Danny Orr and Richie Mathers set up a try for Dixon, who added a conversion.

The first half was marred by an 18th-minute brawl that saw Crusaders duo Vince Mellars and Michael Witt and Castleford’s Nick Youngquest sin-binned.

The Tigers capitalised on their numerical advantage by doubling their lead when substitute Paul Jackson was held up over the line aonly for 18-year-old Clark to force his way over.

After the Crusaders were again reduced to 12, the Tigers immediately made the most of the extra man when Mathers and Joe Arundel made the opening for Dixon’s second touchdown.

Castleford made it 22-0 shortly before half-time when substitute Dean Widders forced his way over for a try.

After the break, the Crusaders who were soon under the cosh again, Youngquest’s superb break creating Clark’s second score before Chase sent in Brett Ferres.

Willie Isa and Mathers then scored their first tries for the Tigers before Crusaders finally got a look in with Stuart Reardon’s 65th-minute touchdown.

Mellars and Tony Martin added late tries for the visitors, but the Tigers rounded off the rout with tries from Youngquest and Arundel.

To complete a successful afternoon for the Tigers, there was no repeat of the homophobic chanting aimed at Thomas 12 months ago which had earned them a £20,000 fine.

Castleford Tigers: Mathers, Dixon, Arundel, Isa, Youngquest, Chase, Orr, Fozzard, Milner, Huby, Jones, Aspinwall, Ferres. Substitutes: Jackson, Emmitt, Widders, Clark.

Crusaders: Schifcofske, Reardon, Martin, Mellars, Tansey, Witt, Sammut, O’Hara, Withers, Bryant, Thomas, Chan, Moore. Substitutes: Dudson, White, Flower, Murphy.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).